Di Luca to rest ahead of Giro

After his stunning victory at the weekend's Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Liquigas' Danilo Di Luca will take some time out as the countdown to the first Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia, begins. While the Italian will inspect the Zoncolan and Tre Cime di Lavaredo climbs over the coming days, the 31 year-old will not race again until the opening stage of the Giro on May 12.

Di Luca has enjoyed a successful season to date, finishing third at the Amstel Gold Race, and taking victories in the third stage of the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi & Bartali, Milano-Torino and his most recent win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège which he described as: "The most important affirmation in [my] career, because [it was] obtained in the most beautiful and prestigious race."

Liquigas' team director Roberto Amadio is expected to unveil the squad's final roster for its home Grand Tour over the coming days.